Your tires are among the most important components of your vehicle. A flat could leave you stranded on the side of the road, and a blowout could prove extremely dangerous, especially at highway speeds. Therefore, proper maintenance is essential. Here are some of the best ways to avoid tire failure.

How to Keep Your Tires From Failing

1. Inflate Properly

Underinflated tires wear out on the sides more quickly, increasing the risk of a flat and impairing your fuel economy. Overinflating your tires, on the other hand, increases the chance of a blowout because of the higher internal pressure; it also wears out the center treads more quickly and shortens the tire’s life span. For the best results, check the tire pressure at every refueling stop and keep them at the recommended pounds per square inch level. You can usually find this number on the jamb of the driver's side door or listed in the owner's manual.

2. Rotate Regularly

To spread the wear across the entire surface of your tires evenly, have them rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. This simply means moving them to a different axle, typically by swapping the front tires for the back ones, so they don't continue wearing out in the same spots. Many people have this done whenever they take their vehicle in for an oil change.

3. Balancing

Every wheel and tire combination has a heavy spot that needs to be balanced out with quarter-ounce pieces of metal on the opposite side. Unbalanced tires can start to wobble at highway speeds, causing the steering wheel to shimmy and the tire to wear out unevenly. If you notice vibrations or shuddering at highways speeds, bring the vehicle in for tire balancing.

For the rotation, alignment, or balancing of your tires, contact Kettering-Oakwood Automotive in Dayton, OH. They offer expert auto repairs and a variety of free services, including posting scheduled maintenance timetables for your vehicle online, where you can access the information at any time. They also specialize in brake repairs and oil changes. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (937) 299-2468 to schedule an appointment.